L.A. Law - the legal television drama that The New York Times described at the time as television's most serious attempt to date to portray American law and the people who practice it ... (and that) has come to shape public perceptions about lawyers and the legal system - ran for eight seasons on NBC from September 15, 1986 to May 19, 1994. less

L.A. Law - the legal television drama that The New York Times described at the time as television's most serious attempt to date to portray American law and the people who practice it ... (and that) has come to ... more

L.A. Law - the legal television drama that The New York Times... Photo-4344093.58643 - seattlepi.com

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The series also won many awards - such as 15 Emmy Awards throughout its run, four of which were for Outstanding Drama Series. Here the cast of L.A. Law pose together after winning a People's Choice Awards in 1989. It was also made into a movie - L.A. Law: The Movie - in 2002.

The series also won many awards - such as 15 Emmy Awards throughout its run, four of which were for Outstanding Drama Series. Here the cast of L.A. Law pose together after winning a People's Choice Awards in ... more

The series also won many awards - such as 15 Emmy Awards throughout... Photo-4344096.58643 - seattlepi.com

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In the following gallery, we take a look at some of the main actors of the series - then and now.

In the following gallery, we take a look at some of the main actors of the series - then and now.

In the following gallery, we take a look at some of the main actors... Photo-4344097.58643 - seattlepi.com

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Richard A. Dysart as Leland McKenzie, the grand old head of the fictional law firm McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak. Dysart's career extended more from this role in the past with movies such as The Last Days of Patton, Being There, The Day of the Locust, The Rumor Mill, Pale Rider ... less

Richard A. Dysart as Leland McKenzie, the grand old head of the fictional law firm McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak. Dysart's career extended more from this role in the past with movies such as The Last ... more

Richard A. Dysart as Leland McKenzie, the grand old head of the... Photo-4344098.58643 - seattlepi.com

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He was called back to play Leland McKenzie for the 2002 reunion movie: L.A. Law: The Movie.

He was called back to play Leland McKenzie for the 2002 reunion movie: L.A. Law: The Movie.

He was called back to play Leland McKenzie for the 2002 reunion... Photo-4344099.58643 - seattlepi.com

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He later played the barbwire salesman in Back to the Future Part III in 1990.

He later played the barbwire salesman in Back to the Future Part III in 1990.

He later played the barbwire salesman in Back to the Future Part... Photo-4344100.58643 - seattlepi.com

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We're not going to swear by this, but here is a photo purporting to be of Dysart in 2006 in Potsdam, Germany. The photo comes from the Wikipedia page dedicated to him. The page doesn't say where exactly he is or what he's doing there. less

We're not going to swear by this, but here is a photo purporting to be of Dysart in 2006 in Potsdam, Germany. The photo comes from the Wikipedia page dedicated to him. The page doesn't say where exactly he is ... more

We're not going to swear by this, but here is a photo... Photo-4344101.58643 - seattlepi.com

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Jill Eikenberry as Ann Kelsey, Michael Tucker as Stuart Markowitz were frequent combatants in the show ... possibly because they were married in real life.

Wikipedia: With the financial success accruing from their L.A. Law work, Jill and Michael produced a number of television movies as vehicles in which they appeared together. They include Assault and Matrimony (1987), The Secret Life of Archie's Wife (1990), A Town Torn Apart (1992) and Gone in a Heartbeat (1996). less

Jill Eikenberry as Ann Kelsey, Michael Tucker as Stuart Markowitz were frequent combatants in the show ... possibly because they were married in real life.

Tucker, 53, Eikenberry, 51, cuddled in the bushes outside their Mill Valley home. Eiknberry was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1986, opting for a lumpectomy. She regularly talks about her experiences with the disease. less

Tucker, 53, Eikenberry, 51, cuddled in the bushes outside their Mill Valley home. Eiknberry was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1986, opting for a lumpectomy. She regularly talks about her experiences with the ... more

Here the two sign copies of the book Living in a Foreign Language: A Memoir of Food, Wine, and Love in Italy in 2007. Tucker wrote the book ... though one suspects he had input from Eikenberry. (Photo by Bobby Bank/WireImage) less

Here the two sign copies of the book Living in a Foreign Language: A Memoir of Food, Wine, and Love in Italy in 2007. Tucker wrote the book ... though one suspects he had input from Eikenberry. (Photo by Bobby ... more

Here the two sign copies of the book Living in a Foreign Language:... Photo-4344105.58643 - seattlepi.com

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Eikenberry continues to act. She was a guest star in a 2011 episode of Body of Proof - Broken Home. She was the grieving mother ...

Eikenberry continues to act. She was a guest star in a 2011 episode of Body of Proof - Broken Home. She was the grieving mother ...

Eikenberry continues to act. She was a guest star in a 2011 episode... Photo-4344106.58643 - seattlepi.com

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Tucker clearly likes to fool around ... Here he attends the Fourth Annual Actors' Fund of America gala in 2003.

Tucker clearly likes to fool around ... Here he attends the Fourth Annual Actors' Fund of America gala in 2003.

Here, Tucker is seen in 2012 promoting his novel After Annie. Photo-4344108.58643 - seattlepi.com

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Michele Greene played Abby Perkins. While the actress' role was dynamic and strong enough to be reprised in the 2002 movie. It's her scene in the episode He's a Crowd where Abby kisses fellow lawyer C.J. Lamb (Amanda Donohoe) that has become her most memorable. less

Michele Greene played Abby Perkins. While the actress' role was dynamic and strong enough to be reprised in the 2002 movie. It's her scene in the episode He's a Crowd where Abby kisses fellow lawyer C.J. Lamb ... more

Susan Dey played California assistant district attorney and judge Grace Van Owen. Dey's career has since been mostly TV-based and her role on L.A. Law, reprised for the 2002 movie, appear to be her most-known work ... except for ... less

Susan Dey played California assistant district attorney and judge Grace Van Owen. Dey's career has since been mostly TV-based and her role on L.A. Law, reprised for the 2002 movie, appear to be her most-known ... more

Most recently he playing the lead role of Stanley in the Broadway revival of A Streetcar Named Desire. That show closed in July, but after 105 performances. He is seen here with (L-R) Matthew Saldivar, Amelia Campbell, Daphne Rubin Vega taking the opening night curtain call at The Broadhurst Theatre on April 22, 2012 in New York City. less

Most recently he playing the lead role of Stanley in the Broadway revival of A Streetcar Named Desire. That show closed in July, but after 105 performances. He is seen here with (L-R) Matthew Saldivar, Amelia ... more

Most recently he playing the lead role of Stanley in the Broadway... Photo-4344124.58643 - seattlepi.com

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Here he arrives with his wife Desiree Underwood at the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards in 2011.

Here he arrives with his wife Desiree Underwood at the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards in 2011.

Here he arrives with his wife Desiree Underwood at the 68th Annual... Photo-4344125.58643 - seattlepi.com

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Aretha Franklin hangs out with Underwood in his dressing room prior to a performance of A Streetcar Named Desire.

Aretha Franklin hangs out with Underwood in his dressing room prior to a performance of A Streetcar Named Desire.

Amanda Donohoe as Cara Jean 'C.J.' Lamb ... a character most know for being the bisexual temptress in the famous first same-sex kiss on television. Donohoe herself has been in some pretty successful movies since then, most notably, Liar, Liar ... in which she played the sexually aggressive Miranda who gets Jim Carrey's character Fletcher Reede in trouble. less

Amanda Donohoe as Cara Jean 'C.J.' Lamb ... a character most know for being the bisexual temptress in the famous first same-sex kiss on television. Donohoe herself has been in some pretty successful movies ... more

... at 'A Night Of Heroes: The Sun Military Awards' in 2010. Photo-4344130.58643 - seattlepi.com

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... in 2005 at the Women in Film and Television Awards.

... in 2005 at the Women in Film and Television Awards.

... in 2005 at the Women in Film and Television Awards. Photo-4344131.58643 - seattlepi.com

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... and in 2011 at the After Stroke Awards at Claridge's Hotel.

... and in 2011 at the After Stroke Awards at Claridge's Hotel.

... and in 2011 at the After Stroke Awards at Claridge's Hotel. Photo-4344132.58643 - seattlepi.com

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Susan Ruttan played legal secretary Roxanne Melman. The Chicago Tribune said this of her character in 1990: Roxanne is wise enough to know that lawsuits aren't everything in life. She`s a source of sanity in a world of intense and bizarre court cases ... She's the one consistently likable character on the cold-eyed drama about legal eagles. less

Susan Ruttan played legal secretary Roxanne Melman. The Chicago Tribune said this of her character in 1990: Roxanne is wise enough to know that lawsuits aren't everything in life. She`s a source of sanity in a ... more

Harry Hamlin played Michael Kuzak, a partner in the firm who once wooed Grace van Owen on the courthouse steps (where she is about to get married) in a gorilla suit. Seems desperate for an actor voted by People magazine as the Sexiest Man Alive in 1987. less

Harry Hamlin played Michael Kuzak, a partner in the firm who once wooed Grace van Owen on the courthouse steps (where she is about to get married) in a gorilla suit. Seems desperate for an actor voted by People ... more

Harry Hamlin played Michael Kuzak, a partner in the firm who once... Photo-4344137.58643 - seattlepi.com

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Hamlin partnered with professional dancer Ashly Delgrosso in 2006 on Dancing with the Stars.

Hamlin partnered with professional dancer Ashly Delgrosso in 2006 on Dancing with the Stars.

Television personality Claudia Jordan, actress Lisa Rinna, Hamlin and television personality Omarosa Manigault appear at Andrea's at Encore Las Vegas to celebrate the season premiere of All-Star Celebrity Apprentice on March 2, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. less

Television personality Claudia Jordan, actress Lisa Rinna, Hamlin and television personality Omarosa Manigault appear at Andrea's at Encore Las Vegas to celebrate the season premiere of All-Star Celebrity ... more

A running gag throughout the series was the overtly promiscuous lifestyle of divorce lawyer Arnie Becker, and his chronic and constant liaisons with women, up to and including bedding some of his own clients. This would end up causing problems when a client would use him to set up her (estranged) husband to be murdered, according to Wikipedia. less

Corbin Bernsen as divorce attorney Arnie Becker.

A running gag throughout the series was the overtly promiscuous lifestyle of divorce lawyer Arnie Becker, and his chronic and constant liaisons with women, up to ... more

Alan Rachins as Douglas Brackman, Jr. Here's what the New York Times had to say about his character in 1990:

During the five seasons that L.A. Law has been broadcast, the boorish, balding Douglas -- in addition to being hung upside down in a hospital room with skin grafts on his posterior -- has had a Slinky caught in his braces, has engaged the services of a sex therapist because sex gives him gas and makes him faint, flipped his toupee in aerobics class while trying to impress the young instructor, discovered he has a pair of boorish, balding half-brothers, been arrested in a sushi bar and has voted himself out of the senior partnership at the firm that bears his father's name.

Some viewers think of Job when they ponder the tribulations of Douglas Brackman Jr. less

Alan Rachins as Douglas Brackman, Jr. Here's what the New York Times had to say about his character in 1990:

During the five seasons that L.A. Law has been broadcast, the boorish, balding Douglas -- in addition ... more